He is the youngster who stands out the most at Anfield, according to club legend Steven gerrard.

The former England captain is now in charge of the Reds' Under-19s side after taking his first steps into management.

And he believes former Barcelona starlet Adekanye is a player who could soon be on first-team boss Jurgen Klopp's radar following an impressive display in the club;s UEFA Youth League victory over Maribor.

Manager Gerrard was delighted with the all-round contribution of Adekanye, who was handed a start in the absence of Rhian Brewster.

The 18-year-old winger was the victim of racist abuse from the stands in Liverpool's previous European game against Spartak Moscow, but this time he received a standing ovation.

“He's let his football do the talking,” Gerrard told the ECHO.

Steven Gerrard is currently in charge of Liverpool's Under-19s squad (Image: John Powell)

“We said to Bobby and Rafa Camacho and the two young centre-backs (Anthony Driscoll-Glennon and Rhys Williams),who played either side of George (Johnston), 'Look there are players missing, it is an opportunity for you. You either sink or swim.' That's what football is about.

“It is about when your opportunity comes along to move up. You come in and do yourself justice.

“I thought Bobby was excellent as was Rafa and the two young lads at centre-half so moving forward picking a team at under-19 level I've got big problems, but good problems.”

It hasn't been plain sailing for Adekanye since he joined Liverpool from Barcelona in the summer of 2015.

Adekanye joined Liverpool from Barcelona in the summer of 2015 (Image: Liverpool FC)

The Nigeria-born Dutch youth international has been hampered by injuries and has only shown flashes of his undoubted talent.

“The thing with Bobby is consistency,” Gerrard said.

“I think he understands now what it is to play for a club like Liverpool at the highest level. Where you have to not just be talented on the ball and look good on the eye, you have to do the dirty side of the game as well.

“You have to compete, run back and tackle and carry out a job within a system, otherwise managers don't trust you.

“When I came in I saw Bobby doing only one side of the game, coming alive when he got the ball.

“Working with Mick Garrity, Critch (Neil Critchley) and Alex (Inglethorpe), who are working tirelessly with him, I can see the other side of the game coming in.

“I was more pleased with Bobby's performance out of possession without the ball because I thought he put in a shift in for the team.

“I know what he can do on the ball but can he become more of a complete footballer?”

Gerrard's youngsters sit two points clear at the top of Group E after their win in Maribor.